Women's Indoor Track and Field Southern Conference

Western Carolina Women, App State Men Win 2000 SoCon Indoor Track Titles

JOHNSON CITY, TN (Feb. 28) -- The Western Carolina University women and the Appalachian State University men each claimed the team championships at the Southern Conference Indoor Track and Field Championships held at East Tennessee State's Memorial Center on Saturday.

WCU finished with 145.50 points and was followed by Appalachian State (119), Chattanooga (86), East Tennessee State (71), Georgia Southern (30), Furman (21.5), VMI (11), UNC Greensboro (8), and The Citadel (4).

Men's final scoring included Appalachian State (132.5), Western Carolina (111), VMI (87), Chattanooga (57), The Citadel (48), East Tennessee State (47.5), and Davidson (12).

The Catamount women won their second straight team title and their fourth in the last five years. The Appalachian State men won for the first time since 1995.

Two women each won two events on Saturday. Appalachian State's Shonte' Pinkston claimed individual titles in the women's 200 meters and 55 meters. Western Carolina's Rosalyn Hood took first in the triple jump with a leap of 39"8.75 and in the 55 meter high hurdles with an 8.44 clocking.

East Tennessee State received victories from Rosaline Addo in the 400 meters with a :56.33; Lauren Campbell in the 800 meters in 2:12.96, and Catherine Berry in the 5000 meters in 17:01.50.

Becky Slick of Chattanooga won the mile in 5:04.25.

Appalachian State's men won two events on Saturday. Jason McGhinnis won the 200 meters in :21.55 and Ryan Linebarger claimed the 55 meter high hurdles with a time of 7.58.

Western Carolina's Johnnie Morrison defended his 55 meter championship with a winning time of 6.36.

Nick Crider of Chattanooga won the 800 meters in 1:55.50; Evan Hawkins of ETSU won the 400 meters in :48.26 and Joe Smith of VMI claimed the 5000 meters in 14:53.19.

Among the highlights of the men's meet was defending champion Eric McClary of The Citadel setting a SoCon record in the high jump of 7'1.5".

Crider of Chattanooga was named the men's Outstanding Performer for the second straight year. John Weaver of Appalachian State was named the Coach of the Year and Derrick High of Western Carolina was the Freshman of the Year. Rosalyn Hood of Western Carolina was the women's Outstanding Performer while Danny Williamson of WCU was the Coach of the Year. The women's Freshman of the Year was Andrea Matthews of Appalachian State.